CORAL GABLES, Fla.—That sound you heard when the selection committee matched Arizona and Ole Miss in the first game of the NCAA Tournament was that of dozens of college baseball writers (present company included) pounding away at their keyboards. A narrative had been established, and darned if we weren’t going to push it.
But not surprisingly, players and coaches from both teams on Thursday weren’t interested in dwelling on the fact that the Wildcats eliminated the Rebels in the Super Regionals last June in Tucson.
“I think that’s more of a storyline for you guys,” Ole Miss coach Mike Bianco said, calling it “ironic” that his team opens the NCAA tourney against the one it ended last year’s postseason against.